Rudy was relatively a newcomer to the fire department, which he died from a hazard that all fire fighters fear: electrocution. His station had received a call for a house fire at 3552 Reeves Street, which was close to the firehouse. Rudy was operating a hose line in the rear of this totally involved structure when an electrical line burned loose from the house and wrapped around his body. His fellow fire fighter administered artificial respiration until an ambulance arrived and transported him to Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.